Arg, Kabul – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, returned to Kabul this evening after a two-day visit to the province of Qandahar. During this visit, the President met with government heads and officials of the province of Qandahar and enquired about their services delivered to the people of Qandahar.

The President also met with 1,500 community representatives from the provinces of Qandahar, Helmand, Urozgan and Zabul which included women, tribal elders, clerics and government officials.  The representatives of the four provinces expressed their commitment to refrain from cultivating poppies.

While addressing the gathering the President said, “I praise the people of Maiwand, Panjwai, Zerai and Arghandab districts of Qandahar province for refraining from growing poppies.”

 “A major international conference will be held in London on 31 January – 1 February 2006 to assess the 4-year achievements of Afghanistan, establish a framework for long-term cooperation between Afghanistan and the international community for the next five years and create an opportunity for the international community to renew its commitments to the Government of Afghanistan in support of its programmes.”

“Despite major achievements, Afghanistan will continue to need the international community’s long-term assistance.”

“Afghanistan is currently equipped with three pillars of a legitimate government which are the constitution, the parliament and a democratically elected government and no one can harm the Afghan state.”

“The President also explained the difficulties seen by the country and called for the participation of Ulemas and the people of Afghanistan in the reconstruction activities in defeating the attempts by enemies of Afghanistan to disrupt reconstruction.”

The President visited the Aino girl High School and met with hundreds of students and teachers from all female schools of Kandahar. The President discussed and answered questions to students and teachers on the problems of teaching materials, transportation, lack of teachers and salary of teachers. The President ordered the Ministry of Education to look into these problems and take the necessary actions.  

The President was accompanied on this visit by H.E. Dr. Zalmai Rasoul, National Security Advisor, H.E. Noor Muhammad Qarqin, Minister of Education and H.E. Jawed Ludin, Chief of Staff to the President.

Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the President - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan